scholarly journals Ant-mediated seed dispersal in a warmed world

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine L. Stuble ◽  
Courtney M. Patterson ◽  
Mariano A. Rodriguez-Cabal ◽  
Relena R. Ribbons ◽  
Robert R. Dunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Seed Removal ◽  
Experimental Warming ◽  
Climatic Warming ◽  
Plant Seed ◽  
Species Specific

Climate change affects communities both directly and indirectly via changes in interspecific interactions. One such interaction that may be altered under climate change is the ant-plant seed dispersal mutualism common in deciduous forests of the eastern US. As climatic warming alters the abundance and activity levels of ants, the potential exists for shifts in rates of ant-mediated seed removal. We used an experimental temperature manipulation at two sites in the eastern US (Harvard Forest in Massachusetts and Duke Forest in North Carolina) to examine the potential impacts of climatic warming on overall rates of seed dispersal (using Asarum canadense seeds) as well as species-specific rates of seed dispersal at the Duke Forest site. We also examined the relationship between ant critical thermal maxima (CTmax) and the mean seed removal temperature for each ant species. We found that seed removal rates did not change as a result of experimental warming at either study site, nor were there any changes in species-specific rates of seed dispersal. There was, however, a positive relationship between CTmax and mean seed removal temperature, whereby species with higher CTmax removed more seeds at hotter temperatures. The temperature at which seeds were removed was influenced by experimental warming as well as diurnal and day-to-day fluctuations in temperature. Taken together, our results suggest that while temperature may play a role in regulating seed removal by ants, ant plant seed-dispersal mutualisms may be more robust to climate change than currently assumed.

scholarly journals Ant-mediated seed dispersal in a warmed world

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine L. Stuble ◽  
Courtney M. Patterson ◽  
Mariano A. Rodriguez-Cabal ◽  
Relena R. Ribbons ◽  
Robert R. Dunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Seed Removal ◽  
Experimental Warming ◽  
Climatic Warming ◽  
Plant Seed ◽  
Species Specific

Climate change affects communities both directly and indirectly via changes in interspecific interactions. One such interaction that may be altered under climate change is the ant-plant seed dispersal mutualism common in deciduous forests of the eastern US. As climatic warming alters the abundance and activity levels of ants, the potential exists for shifts in rates of ant-mediated seed removal. We used an experimental temperature manipulation at two sites in the eastern US (Harvard Forest in Massachusetts and Duke Forest in North Carolina) to examine the potential impacts of climatic warming on overall rates of seed dispersal (using Asarum canadense seeds) as well as species-specific rates of seed dispersal at the Duke Forest site. We also examined the relationship between ant critical thermal maxima (CTmax) and the mean seed removal temperature for each ant species. We found that seed removal rates did not change as a result of experimental warming at either study site, nor were there any changes in species-specific rates of seed dispersal. There was, however, a positive relationship between CTmax and mean seed removal temperature, whereby species with higher CTmax removed more seeds at hotter temperatures. The temperature at which seeds were removed was influenced by experimental warming as well as diurnal and day-to-day fluctuations in temperature. Taken together, our results suggest that while temperature may play a role in regulating seed removal by ants, ant plant seed-dispersal mutualisms may be more robust to climate change than currently assumed.

scholarly journals Ant-mediated seed dispersal in a warmed world

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine L. Stuble ◽  
Courtney M. Patterson ◽  
Mariano A. Rodriguez-Cabal ◽  
Relena R. Ribbons ◽  
Robert R. Dunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Seed Removal ◽  
Experimental Warming ◽  
Climatic Warming ◽  
Plant Seed ◽  
Species Specific

Climate change affects communities both directly and indirectly via changes in interspecific interactions. One such interaction that may be altered under climate change is the ant-plant seed dispersal mutualism common in deciduous forests of the eastern US. As climatic warming alters the abundance and activity levels of ants, the potential exists for shifts in rates of ant-mediated seed removal. We used an experimental temperature manipulation at two sites in the eastern US (Harvard Forest in Massachusetts and Duke Forest in North Carolina) to examine the potential impacts of climatic warming on overall rates of seed dispersal (using Asarum canadense seeds) as well as species-specific rates of seed dispersal at the Duke Forest site. We also examined the relationship between ant critical thermal maxima (CTmax) and the mean seed removal temperature for each ant species. We found that seed removal rates did not change as a result of experimental warming at either study site, nor were there any changes in species-specific rates of seed dispersal. There was, however, a positive relationship between CTmax and mean seed removal temperature, whereby species with higher CTmax removed more seeds at hotter temperatures. The temperature at which seeds were removed was influenced by experimental warming as well as diurnal and day-to-day fluctuations in temperature. Taken together, our results suggest that while temperature may play a role in regulating seed removal by ants, ant plant seed-dispersal mutualisms may be more robust to climate change than currently assumed.

scholarly journals Ambient and experimental warming effects on an alpine bryophyte community

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristel van Zuijlen ◽  
Johan Asplund ◽  
Snorre Sundsbø ◽  
Oda Sofie Dahle ◽  
Kari Klanderud
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Positive Response ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Experimental Warming ◽  
Dryas Octopetala ◽  
Pleurocarpous Mosses ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Over Time

Alpine and arctic bryophytes have been found to respond negatively to climate change, but since they are often analysed as one functional group, there is limited knowledge on species-specific responses. In this study, we examine how nearly two decades of experimental warming by open top chambers (OTC) and ambient warming have affected the bryophyte community structure in an alpine Dryas octopetala heath in Finse, southwest Norway. In contrast to what we expected, we found that bryophyte abundance, species richness and evenness increased over time in the control plots, indicating a positive response to ambient warming. However, the increase in bryophyte abundance and cover was suppressed in experimentally warmed plots compared to control plots. Bryophyte community composition changed in a similar direction in response to both ambient and experimental warming. Acrocarpous mosses were not affected stronger by warming than pleurocarpous mosses, but individual species and taxa showed contrasting responses. Our study highlights the importance of studying bryophyte responses to environmental change, as well as combining long-term observations with experimental warming.

Investigating the species-specific association between anuran calling phenology and air temperature

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Wong
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Anuran Species ◽  
Calling Behaviour ◽  
Survival And Development ◽  
Species Specific

Climate change has been associated in phenological shifts for a variety of taxa. Amphibians, specifically the order Anura (frogs and toads), are considered particularly vulnerable due to their sensitivity to anthropogenic and environmental change. Previous research has documented shifts in the timing of anuran breeding that can be attributed, in part, to climate change, with potential implications for reproduction, survival, and development. This study aims to investigate how air temperature is associated with anuran calling phenology. I will examine the temporal trends in spring and summer air temperature in a lake in northern Ontario, Canada. and quantify seasonal patterns of calling anuran species using acoustic monitoring over a four-month period. I predict that there will be interspecific variation in peak calling associated with air temperature. Additionally, I expect to find asymmetrical association between air temperature and anuran species’ calling behaviour – wherein prolonged breeding species will have a larger optimal temperature range for calling compared to explosive breeding species. The findings of this research will aid in future conservation and provide insight for management strategies of anurans in Canada in response to anticipated climate warming.

scholarly journals Species specific growth responses of black spruce and trembling aspen may enhance resilience of boreal forest to climate change

2012 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 231-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Drobyshev ◽  
Sylvie Gewehr ◽  
Frank Berninger ◽  
Yves Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Specific Growth ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Trembling Aspen ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Species Specific

Climate change exacerbates interspecific interactions in sympatric coastal fishes

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 468-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Milazzo ◽  
Simone Mirto ◽  
Paolo Domenici ◽  
Michele Gristina
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Interspecific Interactions

scholarly journals End-to-End Modeling Reveals Species-Specific Effects of Large-Scale Coastal Restoration on Living Resources Facing Climate Change

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim de Mutsert ◽  
Kristy A. Lewis ◽  
Eric D. White ◽  
Joe Buszowski
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ecosystem Model ◽  
Wetland Loss ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Coastal Protection ◽  
Plan Implementation ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Specific Species

Coastal erosion and wetland loss are affecting Louisiana to such an extent that the loss of land between 1932 and 2016 was close to 5,000 km2. To mitigate this decline, coastal protection and restoration projects are being planned and implemented by the State of Louisiana, United States. The Louisiana Coastal Master Plan (CMP) is an adaptive management approach that provides a suite of projects that are predicted to build or maintain land and protect coastal communities. Restoring the coast with this 50-year large-scale restoration and risk reduction plan has the potential to change the biomass and distribution of economically and ecologically important fisheries species in this region. However, not restoring the coast may have negative impacts on these species due to the loss of habitat. This research uses an ecosystem model to evaluate the effects of plan implementation versus a future without action (FWOA) on the biomass and distribution of fisheries species in the estuaries over 50 years of model simulations. By simulating effects using a spatially-explicit ecosystem model, not only can the changes in biomass in response to plan implementation be evaluated, but also the distribution of species in response to the planned restoration and risk reduction projects. Simulations are performed under two relative sea level rise (SLR) scenarios to understand the effects of climate change on project performance and subsequent fisheries species biomass and distribution. Simulation output of eight economically important fisheries species shows that the plan mostly results in increases in species biomass, but that the outcomes are species-specific and basin-specific. The SLR scenario highly affects the amount of wetland habitat maintained after 50 years (with higher levels of wetland loss under increased SLR) and, subsequently, the biomass of species depending on that habitat. Species distribution results can be used to identify expected changes for specific species on a regional basis. By making this type of information available to resource managers, precautionary measures of ecosystem management and adaptation can be implemented.

Arctic Plant Responses to Climate Warming: It’s Not all about Nitrogen

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanna Masud
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Experimental Warming ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Low Arctic ◽  
Total Plant ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Deciduous Shrub

Climate change is increasing air and soil temperatures in the Arctic, likely enhancing microbial activity. Consequently, increased decomposition rates of soil organic matter and increasing nutrient supply to tundra vegetation can be expected. The impacts of experimental warming and fertilization on growth have been investigated by studying the availability of macronutrients such as N, P and C. However, other   macronutrients such as S, Ca, Mg, K, and micronutrients such as Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn have received little research attention to determine their function, biogeochemical cycling, and effect on vegetation growth in response to warming. This study investigated the impact of experimental warming responses on availability and accumulation of the latter nutrients in the principal plant species located in mesic birch hummock tundra near Daring Lake, Northwest Territories in the Canadian Low Arctic Tundra. Plants were sampled in 2011 from the replicated summer greenhouse treatment that was established in 2004. In response to warming, the principal evergreen shrub (Rhododendron) had the most enhanced growth, followed by the deciduous shrub (Birch). Since the total plant pools of these nutrients were also enhanced in the evergreen, my results strongly suggest that availability of these nutrients was not limiting growth. By contrast, the birch total plant nutrient pools were not enhanced and significant decreases in Mg, S, and K leaf concentrations were observed, suggesting that these elements may be limiting birch growth. Together, our results suggest that plant growth response to climate change in the low Arctic may depend on previously overlooked nutrient elements, and that deciduous shrub growth may be constrained relative to the evergreen response as the arctic climate warms.

Endozoochorical plant seed dispersal by red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the Poľana Biosphere Reserve, Slovakia

2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Steyaert ◽  
J. Bokdam ◽  
W. Braakhekke ◽  
S. Findo
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Plant Seed

scholarly journals Species-specific flowering phenology responses to experimental warming and drought alter herbaceous plant species overlap in a temperate–boreal forest community

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen E Rice ◽  
Rebecca A Montgomery ◽  
Artur Stefanski ◽  
Roy L Rich ◽  
Peter B Reich
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Forest Community ◽  
Herbaceous Plant ◽  
Experimental Warming ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Herbaceous Perennials ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Background and Aims Warmer temperatures and altered precipitation patterns are expected to continue to occur as the climate changes. How these changes will impact the flowering phenology of herbaceous perennials in northern forests is poorly understood but could have consequences for forest functioning and species interactions. Here, we examine the flowering phenology responses of five herbaceous perennials to experimental warming and reduced summer rainfall over 3 years. Methods This study is part of the B4WarmED experiment located at two sites in northern Minnesota, USA. Three levels of warming (ambient, +1.6 °C and +3.1 °C) were crossed with two rainfall manipulations (ambient and 27 % reduced growing season rainfall). Key Results We observed species-specific responses to the experimental treatments. Warming alone advanced flowering for four species. Most notably, the two autumn blooming species showed the strongest advance of flowering to warming. Reduced rainfall alone advanced flowering for one autumn blooming species and delayed flowering for the other, with no significant impact on the three early blooming species. Only one species, Solidago spp., showed an interactive response to warming and rainfall manipulation by advancing in +1.6 °C warming (regardless of rainfall manipulation) but not advancing in the warmest, driest treatment. Species-specific responses led to changes in temporal overlap between species. Most notably, the two autumn blooming species diverged significantly in their flowering timing. In ambient conditions, these two species flowered within the same week. In the warmest, driest treatment, flowering occurred over a month apart. Conclusions Herbaceous species may differ in how they respond to future climate conditions. Changes to phenology may lead to fewer resources for insects or a mismatch between plants and pollinators.

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